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Al-Qaida's presence grows in Gaza

Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2007

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Al-Qaida was looming increasingly large in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Monday: The al-Qaida-inspired kidnappers of a BBC journalist released their captive's anguished plea, while the terror network's deputy chief urged Muslims everywhere to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets.

Al-Qaida's clearest overture yet put Hamas in a bind. Hamas is in urgent need of outside help to provide for Gaza's 1.4 million Palestinians, following its mid-June takeover of the territory. Yet Hamas would deepen its international isolation, burn bridges to much of the Arab world and lose more popular support at home if it forms an open alliance with al-Qaida.

Hamas leaders suggested they will steer clear of al-Qaida, in line with the movement's long-standing position to focus on the conflict with Israel and not to join an international jihad, or holy war. Al-Qaida "is not the frame of reference for Hamas," said a senior Hamas official, Ahmed Yousef.

Al-Qaida's presence in the Palestinian territories has been a subject of intense speculation since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Palestinian intelligence officials believe the group has formed sleeper cells in Gaza and suspect al-Qaida involvement in several spectacular attacks on Palestinian security chiefs since 2004.